Top 10 Video Game Damsels in Distress

[@SergiioMan]

The girl of SONIC 2006 is kidnapped more in one single game, than Peach in a year.

[@Arthus850]

Princess Elise is not a popular character, so she wouldn't be in a top 10 anything unless it was top 10 worst.

[@SergiioMan]

I think yes *****

[@shropshirec]

***** I think Elise's track record of kidnaps is about 9 or so.

[@Matagu1]

Arthus850 It dosen't matter if she is popular or not. What count is how many ties she was kidnapping and her kidnapping in one game is too much. Elise is Kidnapping every minutes!

[@ck-1649]

Who cares about her

[@EvaIowaCubsFan]

Of course Peach is number 1! She gets kidnapped every fifteen fucking minutes!

[@R.J.Crimson99]

Actually, every PER FUCKING SECOND!

[@Dannyraisin4]

At least 1 game every year

[@Miriam_J_]

But she saved mario in her own game and helped him in 4 main games

[@mattjrm3847]

Poor Daisy got denied...

[@CanadaDragon1]

Same here. In fact, I knew Princess Peach was going to be #1 before I clicked on the video.

[@sparklefulpaladin]

Despite being kidnapped, it's been shown that Zelda can fend for herself, especially in Ocarina of Time.

[@ayar2]

as long as she stays in sheik form at least XD. (the moment she drops the sheik persona gets kidnapped in less than a minute)

[@BHM_Productions]

0:44 for a split second I thought Link was twerking

[@Deleted_IQ]

Same

[@BrickNGames]

lol

[@metallica66625]

XD

[@dmorman88]

I promise I did as well

[@jjtomecek1623]

How else does he get the ladies?

[@Lemyn_Lime]

I'm pretty sure 99.9% of us knew #1 would be peach.

[@mattjrm3847]

Hello 0.01%

[@suruchichowdhry6184]

Uh know I'm sure 1,000,000% knew peach would be 1

[@ayar2]

Peach is pretty much this trope given form

[@slingshot8740]

i'm the 0.01% :(

[@chuumon95]

Personally I’d put Kairi at number 1 as she was in distress in both Kingdom Hearts games. But hopefully she’ll be shedding that title in game 3. Just 22 more days til KH3.

[@MrSinclair]

Anita Sarkeesian disapproves

[@ayrthonperez2989]

💥🔫 shots fired😂

[@Youtubewatcherperson]

Yes she is flipping out over this

[@WrestlingGamingGuru]

(in lemon grab voice) unacceptable!!!!

[@GRIIMMJAQUES]

Her hoop earrings just shot out through the window :)

[@Renegade2786]

legofreak446 don't give her more ammos against male gamers.

[@OrangeExorcists]

Gamer Gate and Anita Sarkeesian are going to dislike this video LMAOOO

[@mariabobia69]

Anti Gamer Gate*

[@MrKiron12]

MaroonThief Well some people from GamerGate are some Nerd bitches Dat think the Damsels in Distress cliche don't exist. SMH #INB4PeopleDislikeMyComment4LayinDownDatTruth

[@metae.4256]

MrKiron12 I disliked your comment only because you made the prediction that someone would dislike for, well, being true. The truth was irrelevant to the dislike. Now, we know that not all dislikes on your comment are related to that truth.

[@jesseM138]

What are you talking about? Since when did GamerGate and Anita agree on anything?

[@austinmetzger3688]

***** Actually, #GamerGate is about ethics in journalism.

[@robbiecarter9241]

Anita Sarkisian made her living off this list

[@theblackastronautleo1219]

THIS.

[@robbiecarter9241]

+XXXBloodGirl I assume you're a troll. But if not, I meant that Anita Sarkisian made her living with off identifying what may be called a "damsel in distress" of video games. Not by making videos using what was said in this.

[@SonicKirbyElric]

Anyone else notice when MatPat uploaded the new Game Theory about Toad, this popped up too?

[@AnAmericanMusician]

Haha! yeah. I'm just waiting for fnaf 3's theory though.

[@Georgethefatman]

Just thinking the same thing........

[@Yust1234]

Yeah i was thining the sameting.

[@0ngy697]

Yes

[@AnAmericanMusician]

I love how most of these damsels are not in distress. nice job watchmojo.

[@ImARealDuck]

What about ducks in distress? I swear, that duck hunt duo duck is held hostage!

[@mikerotch8949]

I prefer cock, no homo

[@darksoldier7545]

Darude Sandstorm

[@TheDuckClock]

IT'S WELL PAST YOUR BEDTIME!!!

[@Jamazonify]

hear hear

[@ImARealDuck]

TheDuckClock I was asleep when you wrote this :D

[@jdark15]

Without watching the video I bet #1 is peach. Was I right?

[@shannan_igans]

Dan even said, "before we reveal our probably obvious top pick, here are a few honorable mentions"

[@hunnykun101]

Everyone saw that coming

[@Mosbergshotgun]

Well considering she's the icon of this video.

[@briansivley2001]

I instantly knew who was going to be 1st on the list. Peach is too predictable as damsels in distress.

[@nwawallace]

Guessing this right is about as impressive as closing your eyes to throw a dart and hitting the right target... only all the targets are Peach.

[@dolluan25]

Elizabeth isn't a damsel in distress... She's damn best wingman to ever dawn a dress!

[@weissgalathynius640]

Here's one for you mojo: Top ten video game characters who are secretly evil. Peach would probably top that list. An evil genius who uses parasitic mind controlling fungi to maintain her totalitarian rule over her kingdom, whilst hiding behind a pretty pink frock and airhead persona. Using her feminine charms to seduce poor stupid Mario into fighting off browsers attempts to bring her to justice and stop the spread ofher mind controlling cordyceps! You know people like that. I think that would be most interesting.

[@ozisusgerophiusmanabuzzwar2335]

But hey, that's just a theory! A GAME THEORY!

[@PlayboiCanti]

Bruh what the fuck

[@weissgalathynius640]

Jack Waller yes.

[@weissgalathynius640]

IXoptimusIX please moderate your language. I have no respect for foul mouthed commenters.

[@PlayboiCanti]

Sorry my bad lmao. But seriously, that "theory" of peach being evil goes SO deep, it just blows my mind.

[@nwawallace]

Next do top 10 Damsels in Distress in real life -Anita at number 1.

[@aerithgainsborough7763]

Yay Kairi was mentioned!😇 btw she learns to fight in later games...

[@mohmu9]

So what I learned from Anita Sarkeesian is to never teach your kids to help damsel in distress but rather watch as she struggle because you know, they are always independent and strong lol

[@travisboutilier2220]

Don't listen to that, she has no idea what she's taking about.

[@thegreendragon5375]

So THAT'S why Mario hasn't had chance to purpose to Peach yet, hes stuck in the dreaded friend zone.

[@NemesisHero123]

If there was one dishonourable mention, it would be Princess Elise XD

[@jaretco6423]

She should've been #1.

[@mjarbo]

Nice victim blaming at 08:15. lol

[@yvesforbesfloresiii461]

Please do Top 10 Video Game Princesses

[@pencilstreak9]

I'm not sure if I totally agree with Mojo's definition of "damsel in distress"; kind of thought it was a female protagonist that gets captured without even bothering to fight back. That's why I'm wondering if Zelda really is a damsel in distress, or at least one that deserves to rank so highly. She at least fights back to the best of her extent, and when she doesn't, it's usually because she's a just a kid (like in Skyward Sword or Four Swords). Admittedly, I haven't played all the games, but that's the vibe I get from the ones I did play.

[@generalzod8589]

My favorite video game damsel for me was April O'Neal in the early TMNT. Loved to watch her struggle.♥️😍

[@HGShurtugal]

I dont think zelda should be second she helps you defeat Gannondorf in the 3D games.

[@SuperSylar]

But still get kidnapped, turned into stone, become a ghost, etc. She might be helpful rarely sometimes, but still get too much in trouble.

[@el.xu4n]

But is one of the more famous

[@HGShurtugal]

SuperSylar Im not saying shes like samus but she dosnt deserve second, she helps you in OoT in WW shes a pirate in TP she sacrifice her self for Minda andshe fights with you in ST. I cant remember SS because i didn't like that game.

[@pencilstreak9]

SuperSylar ...rarely?

[@el.xu4n]

LMAO ricolinuxtutorial

[@derris]

The number 2 and number 1 was OBVIOUS !! Thank you WatchMojo

[@bshea8133]

Where Is CAPTAIN PRICE I feel like I have to save that little girl every 5 seconds

[@comaster2]

Please WatchMojo! Do a Top 10 Videogames Dudes in Distress! Can't wait to see Cornet from Rhapsody or Marle from Chrono Trigger (I know that in Chrono Trigger is only optional in one particular scene but it is still cool). =D

[@theblackastronautleo1219]

Tumblr will be here any minute now.

[@conorgrissom4384]

Nice touch on the potato glados. I actually enjoyed that a lot

[@RatFacedJasper]

Wait, so Lithariel is a badass warrior commander who is on a mission, but all that is meaningless because she gets captured in enemy territory, which immediately makes her a damsel? Had she been male she would have just been considered a prisoner of war.

[@jinratgeist]

LOL at including Potato GlaDOS on the honorables. :D

[@moisesmunoz79]

Now Anita Sarkeesian is gonna come and yell at you for this video.

[@akumuryuu]

Imoen from Baldur's Gate 2. There's also Princess Rosebud in Astyanax and Felicia in Zeliard. Those might not be popular, but they are still my favorite games.

[@CrossHarry]

DONT TELL ANITA SARKEESIAN

[@SpongicX]

I would have included Amy Rose from Sonic. She is one of the first damsels in distress to quickly break out of the trend, with her strong will and hammer attacks. Some could say Peach broke the trend in Mario Bros. 2, but that game was just a dream inside Mario's head, implying Peach didn't do anything heroic. She did gain some heroism in Super Princess Peach, and Super Mario 3D World though.

[@jaretco6423]

I think Elise from 06 would top that.

[@sparkymmilarky]

B-but women and just as strong as men! M-muh feelings!

[@Borzogo]

That number 3 deserved to be an honorable mention at best

[@LiquidIronTV]

Take cover Watchmojo! Anita's army shall be here any minute! Save yourselves men! *Takes cover in fallout shelter*

[@maddestmike5791]

Princess Peach needs to start learning karate. That way, next time Bowser comes knocking, she'll be knocking him down a flight of stairs.

[@Jessica11458]

So who else knew it was peach before even watching the video? 😜

[@sonicsaiyan07]

I wanna give mention to Sylvia in the FIRST Viewtiful Joe, and Inspector Fox in the Sly Cooper series. I know Carmelita can handle herself, but you literally have to save her at least once every game.

[@01animeking]

elizabeth isn't a damsel in distress shes the damn best wingman to ever don a dress

[@EvanAdvent]

I remember in Legend of Zelda Spirit Tracks where Zelda acknowledges this trope as a 'family tradition' at the start of the game.

[@Callsign_Kishin]

Zelda is better than Peach: Ninja, Pirate, Princess, Warrior. In most versions of the series, she's not a damsel, yet she was on this list?

[@nishitagarwal8614]

Zelda is still a damsel in distress Nintendo cannot make a core game without this trope

[@jxter00]

"OH! you PERVERT!" that never gets old XD

[@TyrannoWright]

After NSMB2, I was tired of saving Peach's ass. She needs to learn how to fight on her own by now. Atleast a new stand-alone Peach game like before.

[@GRIIMMJAQUES]

***** It keeps selling. But She'll probably get her own game sometime, who knows.

[@thedothackerkeyblademaster]

BASED KAPPA Super Princess Peach.

[@TKnHappyNess]

She can always kick Bowser's ass in Smash

[@rwkc3004]

Super Mario 3D World

[@nwawallace]

Took that long huh?

[@jaretco6423]

How is Princess Elise from Sonic 06 wasn't on this list?

[@bunsby7482]

anita sarkeesian would be proud

[@lamplighter1968]

I'm not sure she'd top any of your listers, but an interesting and unusual take on a game damsel in distress is Morrigan Aensland from the Darkstalker series. She's a playable protagonist, but Demitri Maximov players are dedicated to subjugating her with attacks that include torching her with fire, leaving her naked and burnt, trying to hide her nakedness with her wings. If the Demitri player wins, he basically turns her into a sex slave and she magically turns herself to stone to escape his torments. As the player, there's no way to show her any mercy, and no one can come to her rescue. Her uniqueness alone should get her an honourable mention, don't you think?

[@AngelAffinity18]

The most popular damsel in distress would be Anita Sarkeesian.

[@tiffawesome6446]

U guys did great on number 1and 2! Zelda and Peach are ALWAYS getting kidnapped. I didn't care about all the other numbers. You are awesome!

[@LuisHernandez-mv5fy]

On 8:08 is this a mario game?

[@Kevvin123886]

Don't know, but if it is, creepy as fuck.

[@LuisHernandez-mv5fy]

Kevvin123886 right?

[@MrLeronne]

It's from a french TV commercial for the year of luigi. That frightend peach is afraid of good ol' Weegee.

[@Dipper723]

It's a commercial for New Super Luigi U

[@kevinchan8136]

I can only imagine what she's seeing.

[@satria222poxy]

I love it how you guys find Kingdom Hearts so complicated!!!

[@metalgamerguy1313]

Waiting for feminists to drop by and comment...

[@moisesmunoz79]

*Berta Lovejoy*

[@jessicas.4898]

I think Maria from Silent Hill 2 should've at been at least in the honorable mentions.

[@robbiedejong9874]

Kairi ❤️

[@lilypotter4431]

I love Kairi. It's interesting seeing her backstory in BBS.

[@Yetaxa]

God I hate Zelda. Now while the damsel in distress cliche is annoying in itself, it's worse in Zelda, a game that is getting an increasingly complex plot, when its main goal is saving the world from Ganon, only then to tell you to save some princess who you've never met and have no reason to give a fuck about is your top priority, and saving the world will just be a bonus. This is an issue right from the beginning and frankly was only really redeemed in Skyward Sword (where you are friends with Zelda from the beginning and she actually has a character) It works for Mario. The entire plot is "Peach has been kidnapped, save her" and that's fine. In Zelda we have "Ganon is trying to take over the world, go to the castle and save the princess for no reason whatsoever" Also, can this guy get through a single video without mispronouncing something?

[@ProierThanYou]

Although I've not played every Zelda game is it not mostly do with Zelda having one of the fragments of the Triforce, is that not usually the reason you save her? And isn't the Triforce usually the thing that seals away Ganon or kills him or whatever so she is kinda vital to the story in the majority of them.

[@rebaxbayushi577]

ProierThanYou The thing most people forget or do not understand about Zelda games is this : Zelda is a warrior princess, keen with a sword and an incredible good shot with a bow. She's also a very powerful magic user. Every time she's kidnapped, it's because the bad guy of the game took her people hostage and she have to drop the weapons to save them, wishing the warrior of courage will come to their help. THAT need a lot of strenght of caracter and courage, accepting to suffer for your people to save their lives. Zelda is the damsel in distress I respect the most, and she's the best not in skyward sword, but in twilight princess where we really see that scene happen.

[@kevinchan8136]

In windwaker (Spoiler if you haven't played it) Zelda isn't even relevant until towards the ending of the game where she helps you fight ganondorf.

[@Leiviosuh]

What's worse is people who have no clue why Zelda is important. They play the game and have no clue about the lore. Yes, Zelda is the princess and some stories have Link looking for her first before any tragedy happens (Twilight Princess) or him actually knowing her before the tragedy happens. Zelda and Link are bound together through generations so yes, they're soul mates. Zelda possess the soul of a goddess. Zelda possess the Triforce of Wisdom whenever the triforces are involved (The Triforce's host of choice), 1 of the many important 3 pieces needed to make a wish of whatever one desires (Ganondorf's goal), hence why she kidnaps her, to obtain one triforce and to lure the other. Link posses the other Triforce and he has to end Ganondorf and save his soul mate, basically. Ganondorf will only go down from a Master sword. Although he can be killed by Silver Arrows, there usually are none. Zelda uses her Light arrows and/or magic (in some installments where she is needed) to assist Link to be able to land these blows he so much needs.

[@solivagant7232]

In Minish Cap, she and Link are childhood friends. In Spirit tracks, she also helps kill Malladus. It seems that she is really good with a bow.

[@jacksub99]

These guys always underrate anything that is bioshock related

[@toddylomein1549]

Top 10 dumbest top 10 list posted by watch mojo

[@afmunso5434]

As soon as I saw this video I immediately thought to myself "Zelda and Peach will be #1 and #2, in that order." I then saw them proceed to surprise me by swapping the spots I'd predicted them to place in. You're so unpredictable and edgy, WatchMojo. Real loose cannons.

[@hapiclown]

Peach? Peach?! PEACH!!!???? WHY? NOBODY EVEN LIKES HER!!!!!!

[@Miriam_J_]

Shes the most well know princess in gaming...

[@kendrick5501]

I like peach honestly

[@WatchMojo]

Did you know that all of the newest WatchMojo clips are available for subtitling and captioning? Once English language captions have been added then videos become open to subtitling for over 160 languages! So if you want to make WatchMojo content available to your fellow country people then get started by clicking the settings button on the video and selecting "add subtitles/CC" under the subtitles/CC menu. If you need help getting started, email us at watch [at] watchmojo.com and Check out other videos available for subtitling here: kzbin.info/aero/PLmZTDWJGfRq04Igqy81cxkIHd9Pa_tL8V

[@cheshire5114]

Incoming Feminists in 5...4...3...2.... NOW!!!!!

[@1993Southparkfan]

I never played Dragon's Lair before, but for a damsel in distress, Princess Daphne seems unusually.... happy.

[@Solarstar10]

[Insert random angry feminist comment here]

[@snowflakemilkshake8732]

the potato glados made me laugh lol XD

[@TheGamerGirl2330]

Daphne was also a damsel in distress in the 2nd Dragon's Lair game, in case you Watchmojo guys didn't know.

[@RThyrring]

Beatrice from Dante's Inferno should at least have been an honorable mention...

[@shinra358]

3:23 - Dat photo bomb on the left LMAO

[@puppymaroon964]

One damsel in distress that Watch Mojo didn't mention but I feel should have is Cream's mom in Sonic Advance 2.

[@stewrat0420]

potato glados brings a smile to my face.

[@gfolzone8898]

This is probably peaches to do list 1:wake up 2:bake cake 3:get kidnapped by bowser 4:get rescued by mario 5:bake cake for mario

[@tori5315]

Lol true dat!

[@MrSaLVideos]

Congrats on your 7 million subs...

[@jamiecaldwell35]

I knew Kairi would be on here! Glad she is!

[@CoffeePoints]

My favorite part about Bioshock Infinite's Damsel in Distress was in the end, the damsel in distress kills her rescuer.

[@overchill4465]

When in doubt , quote Dan Bull. ("Elizabeth's not a damsel in distress, she's the best damn wingman to ever don a dress")

[@MagicOfDark]

Brothers: Tale of Two Sons has a great damsel in distress. I won't explain why though.

[@Bakiana]

Ashley, she kills when no one is looking

[@underfreshsans7070]

Freakin' Peach! She was once kidnapped by Bowser on a ship and all she did was just say, "Help me Mario!" While waving her arms in the air! While she did that, I yelled, "Jump bitch! Your fucking 5 Feet off the ground! And shouldn't you have seen this coming after you were kidnapped fucking 10 minutes ago?" Those were my exact words.

[@ablackfangirl]

thank you for finally acknowledging kingdom hearts

[@ghostlywhispers32]

I think everyone knows the princess who somehow can't stand ten minutes without someone coming and kidnapping her

[@DominikKensylar]

1:52 I don't know why, but at first I thought you said "...in return for a Golden Retriever..."

[@MrGreatDane2]

why am i laughing about donald duck screaming cuz of sadness? xD

[@xxAmi15]

potato glados got an honourable mention!

[@christianpringle3822]

I feel like Kingdom hearts is so complicated that it is like tier 0 for all top 10s. Too much goes on in that game for anyone to explain any aspect of it in less than a minute. Lol. So this explanation was perfect.

[@anthonyjohn6520]

Cool never thought of GlaDos as a "damsel" XD

[@TheFrankoalberto]

Elaine Marley didn't even get and honorable mention?

[@tonyvernon2878]

You should put the lists in the description

[@chachingboy1]

At this point (at least in the modern games) I am fairly certain it's canon that Ganondorf is the Demon King in his human form (Gerudo if you wanna get technical) and Ganon is the Demon King in his warthog-like form, same person, different forms.

[@kirbyleggington7205]

King Dedede gets kidnapped in Kirby Triple Deluxe...I know he's a guy, but it would've been HILARIOUS to see him on the list.

[@claytorizzle]

pretty glad kairi made the list. altho she did not break up sora and riku's friendship lol

[@TheGreatLKHS]

Daphne should have been listed as "Dragon' Lair" series. She also had to be rescued in the sequel, "Dragon's Lair: Time Warp".

[@harbinger3197]

From S2E1 of Fantastic Four (1994) “And a Blind Man Shall Lead Them.” Susan Richards: “This is pretty uninspired! The big, bad Doctor Doom kidnapping me just to lure us here to your WRETCHED little island!” Doctor Doom: “Yes, I’m SO sorry to involve you in the time-worn Damsel-in-Distress cliche, Mrs. Richards. I fear the only thing missing is the on-rushing train. However, sometimes EXPEDIENCY outweighs ORIGINALITY!”

[@heyimnotanoob9582]

zelda twilight princess is one of my allllll time fav games, thanks for mentioning it:P

[@rk100_official]

4:05 "you have suffered a terrible fate"

[@137Official]

Cortana didn't even make the honorable mentions 😩

[@TheXkM]

Elizabeth deserves higher than ninth, personally i think she is one of the best written support characters in a video game and was a typical damsel in distress

[@xanblu]

okay, i just watched Game Theory's latest video (as of right now). Peach is no damsel in distress. she's an evil empress spreading the mind control fungi on top of the Toads

[@Ineedgames]

Cortana from Halo? You had to save her from the Flood in Halo 3.

[@WatchMojo]

In case you were wondering how the Mojoholics voted in our poll, see the votes and entries here: watchmojo.com/suggest/Top+10+Video+Game+Damsels+in+Distress Note, of course, that viewer votes are just one of the hundreds of data points and variables that we consider and look at when we create our lists. Make sure to sign up and participate on future lists at www.WatchMojo.com/suggest